For a collaborative project in the Horizon 2020 RIA program (ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/sfs-32-2017.html) we are looking for a PhD student. The successful candidate will join an active, interdisciplinary team and will be involved in international collaborations on the field of microalgae, feeds and aquaculture. We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate, which would like to gain experience in diverse strategies in cultivation of microalgae, understanding the mechanisms of incorporation on inorganic molecules, in situ extraction at laboratory and pilot plant scale, in techno-economic modelling, for improving microalgae as multifunctional feed component.

Information on Objectives for this PhD vacancy:
Scope of the project is to design improved and multifunctional feeds; part of the work will consist in identifying microalgal strains which could be used as multi-value fish feed components, by establishing viable business cases for these products as they would be priced against multiple components in current aqua feeds (such as long-chained polyunsaturated omega-3 oils, sulfonated polysaccharides, ß-glucans and other polysaccharides). Moreover, the investigation will include the exploitation of the high capacity for microalgae to absorb and incorporate inorganic minerals and aim to increase their mineral content in the biomass. This feed tailoring program will be achieved through three steps; (i) screening of suitability of algae strains; (ii) optimisation of the production of selected strains and biomass generation for fish-trials; (iii) Evaluation of the potential for the commercial production of microalgae strains as fish feed components using a techno-economic approach for assessing production costs and at different scales.

As PhD student you are an ambitious, curious and enthusiastic young scientist and a team player devoted to research both in bioprocess engineering and microalgal biotechnology. Ideally, you have experience in the field of microalgae and are able to integrate (molecular) biology and bioprocess engineering disciplines.

You also have:
� a successfully completed academic study (MSc level; recognized in The Netherlands) preferably in microalgae field;
� knowledge about the development of techno-economic model;
� affinity/pre-knowledge with operation and control of photo bioreactors;
� able to work in an international context and flexibility to travel on a regular basis;
� excellent communication skills;
� Proficiency in English (spoken as well as written).

We offer you a temporary position (38 hours a week) for a period of 1.5 years with extension of 2.5 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2222,-. in the first year rising up to € 2840,-. per month in the fourth year.
We not only offer a competitive salary but also good (study) leave and a pension of the ABP Pension Fund.

Wageningen University & Research

The Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group is part of Wageningen University & Research, an organisation that brings together fundamental and applied scientific research. We work on creating 'healthy food in a biobased society' with private sector companies, research institutes and government agencies in the Netherlands and abroad. Our innovations play a crucial role in solving the major issues which affect society today. Entrepreneurship and professionalism are key in all that we do. In short, we are a major international employer offering considerable potential for your career.

Wageningen University & Research
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every day. Within our domain of good and safe food & food production, food security and a healthy living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't do this alone. Every day, 5000 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.

The Bioprocess Engineering Chair group (BPE) is part of the research groups within AFSG. BPE and teaches and develops new bio-based processes for production and bio-refinery of pharmaceuticals, healthy food ingredients, bulk chemicals and biofuels. More information can be found at www.WageningenUR.nl/bpe

We are a leading multidisciplinary research group in the field of microalgae under the umbrella of AlgaePARC with strong industrial collaborations and a large and dynamic team of PhD students, postdocs and staff.
AlgaePARC, with its multidisciplinary algae research program covering the entire microalgae production chain became an international leading initiative. Our ambition is to further strengthen the global position of AlgaePARC as an innovation centre, developing research projects in order to reach commercialization of microalgae and to stimulate spin-off companies to produce algal products or supply the technology for production.

Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at:
https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs.htm

Acquisition regarding this vacancy is not appreciated.